Historic Former Seattle Fire Boat, “The Alki” Is On the Auction Block

It’s true, in that Seattle Fire’s former fire boat, “The Alki’ is finally up for sale after 10-year long ordeal and it’s will on the auction block as of Monday, March 4, 2013. 

Seattle currently has a small fire museum operated out of Seattle Fire’s former Station #10, in addition to Fire Headquarters.  It is operated out of several bays and several offices on the first floor by The Last Resort Fire Department, a non-profit organization, that restores and maintains some of their own historic former Seattle fire apparatus.

The Alki, a 123-foot long fire boat built in 1927, is said to have been originally powered by 16-gasoline engines but later replaced in 1947 with diesel Navy surplus engines. 

This ship has six (6) pairs of 380-hp GM 6-71s, powered by six (6) Byron Jackson centrifugal pumps, two (2) supercharged 8-cylinders, 500-hp GM mains, one (1) 45-hp GM-3-71, driving a 30-kw generator, one (1) 128-hp GM 6-71 turning a 60-kw generator.

Once, the auction goes live on Monday, presumably after 1900 hours, bidders will be able to see over 70-plus photos of the ship, a spec sheet, video and a report from the auctioneer describing overall boat condition as being good and noting that all engines performed normal in testing.

The first minimum accepted will be $1.00.   In addition, to purchasing the former fire boat, must also consider moorage, insurance, fuel, maintenance and restoration or conversion.  This purchase will definitely not be for your average sailing type person and for the one who is familiar with commercial vessels.

Bidders will have 10 days to review the information and place bids online thru bidadoo.com, a Seattle-based firm that auctions surplus property from the City and other clients. www.bidadoo.com.

Good luck and may the highest bidder Win! – Here’s hoping it stays in Seattle for us to enjoy either in a museum or on public display.

(c) 2013 The NW Fire Blog